Biblio - Net Service In Japan
Shigetaka Amano
Japan Braille Library
Japan Braille Library launched the talking books distribution system in 2004 and the talking books production system in 2005. Shinano-Kenshi Corporation and Sun Data Center made the two systems possible with the generous developmental assistance. The two systems are called "Biblio". The name "Biblio" is derived from Greek word "Biblion", which means books. We named the systems "Biblio", hoping that the service will cater the needs of as many people as possible.
Both of the production and distribution systems employ the use of the Internet system and personal computers, which is very innovative in the field. The aims of the construction of these two systems are: 1. to shorten the time needed for the production of talking books, 2. to make the talking books available to the users at any time. The construction of the production system, along with the distribution system aims at realizing the speedy provision of the talking books.
1. The Necessity of the system development
1-1 Shortening of the production period
Formerly, the recording of the talking books was done in the studios in our library. The production of one ten-hour-long book took 20-25 weeks.
The shortening of this production time was the imminent agenda. The following was the solution: the reading volunteers do the recording at their house using personal computers. The recorded data and all the production process such as directions, editing, and other correspondence is stored on the server prepared by Library so that the reading volunteers, the proofreaders and the library staff members can share all the information and do their own work simultaneously.
1-2 Out of the analogue media
For talking books production, we had used analogue recording devices such as cassette tapes. The production system relied on analogue devices but they are becoming obsolete and finishing their roles.
As for distribution, the recorded cassette tapes and CDs were sent to the users by post. This system has lasted for half a century. However, the advent of the network production system, which does not require analogue media, has brought about big changes such as reduction of production time and quick distribution of the talking books.
2. System configuration
2-1 Network server
The network server located in Japan Braille Library supports the two systems.
The server for the network production stores the groupware for the production process management and the talking books sound database.
The server for the network distribution has "Web server", along with "bibliography database" function and "contents server" function.
2-2 User terminals
As for user terminals, the Windows PCs are employed for both production and distribution systems.
For the terminal for the production system, the application "Recdia" is employed. This application was developed by Sun Data Center for the purpose of talking books recording and editing.
For the terminal for the distribution system, "Net-Plextalk" developed by Shinano-Kenshi is used for the easy operation for the users with sound navigation.
2-3 Network infrastructure
The contents of the talking books are pretty big. For example, a ten-hour-long talking book requires 150 MB (MP3 is used for compression, the bit rate is 32kbps). Therefore, the broadband network environment is required for using the network.
For the connection of the server in the library and the Internet, high speed broadband (optic cable) is utilized to deal with the user access and the contents distribution.
For the users' terminals, low-cost network infrastructure such as CATV, ADSL, or optic cables are required to realize the necessary speed of 512Kbps or more, which is required for the data retrieval from the library.
3. "Biblio-Net", the network talking books distribution service
3-1 Service contents
3-1-1 Search service
By entering the related key words such as the title of the book, author, or other related words with the keyboard of computers, the aimed talking books can be searched.
3-1-2 Immediate availability service
The searched talking book can be listened immediately after the search.
3-1-3 Download service
Searched talking books can be downloaded and they can be kept as a private library.
3-1-4 Information service
Information on newly published books and best selling books can be obtained as well.
At the same time, the library information is distributed to the users.
3-2 Characteristics of the services
3-2-1 With the introduction of the sound navigation system, searching, trial reading, and downloading of talking books can be operated smoothly.
3-2-2 The contents of provided talking books conform to the DAISY standards, and various searching functions are made possible, such as changing the speed of the reading, searching by the index, forwarding and rewinding.
4. Talking books production system "Virtual Studio"
The talking books production had been made progress to the time series with the physical transfer of the recorded media among the people involved in the process. There was no difference whether the recording was done at home or in the studio. The system was one of the main reasons for the prolongation of the talking books production. Moreover, to do the recording in the studio, the reading volunteers had to book a studio, which has some restrictions because of the availability of the studios and the business hours of the library. At the same time, the volunteers needed to travel between their house and the library, which was time consuming.
On the other hand, thanks to the new production method utilizing the network system, simultaneous work has been made possible. Each work of the recording, proofreading and re-recording can be done at their own pace in different places. And the production period can be shortened to 5 to 8 weeks.
To operate the system, the server PC with the groupware application located in the production base and the individual client PCs for the library staff and volunteers are required.
The client PCs need to have an application named "Recdia", which has recording and monitoring functions.
Now, let me explain the production process.
Three members are involved in producing one content. They are called a coordinator, a reader, and a partner respectively. A coordinator registers the book title, and makes a request for production. The requested reader uses Recdia and records the data. The data is stored in the server through the Internet. At the same time, a partner downloads the recorded data from the server through the Internet and proofreads it.
Throughout the process, all the communication made by the three parties such as requests, preparation sheets, proofreading sheets, and other correspondence is stored in the server and shared by all the people involved. By introducing this method, all the work can be done on the Web and the coordinator can manage and control the production progress.
The system has made the production process shorter and more efficient.
4-1 System functions
(1) With the Virtual Studio Groupware, it was made possible to manage and control the progress of all the phases of talking books production. At the same time, you can store the bibliography database, correspondence among the people involved in the process, and send and receive the recorded data.
(2) With the Recdia recording application, recording, playing and proofreading function are supported. Also, automatic adjustment of the sound volume and noise reduction, making and modification of the proofreading sheets can be done with the application.
5. The systems in practical use and its prospect
Actually, the system and the application are already into the market. Recording application "Recdia" is available both in the network and standalone version and gaining popularity in Japan.
In the future, it is desirable for all the institutions and the volunteer groups involved in the talking books distribution to network the service using the systems. We aim at setting up the ideal production environment all across Japan regardless of the organizations or communities, and providing 24-hour-service regardless of the users' whereabouts.